Sassa paydays to normalise from January
Another early payment for January is not on the cards.
Social grants are usually paid from the first of every month, except in December.
As from January 2018, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will pay beneficiaries who use banks, ATMs and merchant outlets from January 1, despite the day falling on a public holiday. The same will apply to any other public holiday falling on the first day of the month.
For beneficiaries using Sassa paypoints, payments will start on January 4 all over the country except the Western Cape, which will open its paypoints from January 3. Specific and individualised payment dates are printed on payment slips for beneficiaries using Sassa paypoints to ensure that Sassa pays the right grant to the right person at the right time and place.
The early December payment, which started on November 28, was welcomed by Sassa beneficiaries. The rationale behind the move was to protect beneficiaries from the December shopping traffic and its attendant risks, especially for the elderly.
Some, however, have misinterpreted the move as a December double payment, while others think another early payment is on the cards for January, which is also not true.
Social grant beneficiaries are reminded that upon approval of their grants they have the right to choose a payment method. They can choose a direct payment into a bank account of their choice or a manual cash payment at a paypoint, for instance.
A beneficiary choosing a direct payment into their bank account makes it easy and convenient because they can receive their money anywhere in the country. Beneficiaries who wish to switch to bank payments can arrange to do so at their nearest Sassa office. Sassa, however, does not cover bank charges that may arise in the case of direct payments into beneficiaries’ private bank accounts.
